Coronavirus: Boris Johnson leaves intensive care unit

British PM still in hospital but said to be in good spirits

A member of staff sticks a poster of a rainbow, being used as a symbol of hope during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the words "hope" into a window at 10 Downing Street, the official residence of Britain's Prime Minister, in central London on April 9, 2020.  British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's health "continues to improve" on his fourth day in COVID-19 intensive care, his spokesman said Thursday, while the government prepared to extend a nationwide lockdown. / AFP / Tolga AKMEN
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UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is out of intensive care but still in hospital.

Mr Johnson was admitted to hospital early this week with persistent coronavirus symptoms.

“The Prime Minister has been moved this evening from intensive care back to the ward, where he will receive close monitoring during the early phase of his recovery," a Downing Street spokesman said.

“He is in extremely good spirits.”

Boris Johnson leaves intensive care unit

Boris Johnson leaves intensive care unit

Earlier on Thursday, a spokesman said Mr Johnson's health "continues to improve" but there was no hint that he might be about to be moved from the intensive care unit.

The UK government prepares to extend a nationwide lockdown.

"He continues to take positive steps forward and is in good spirits," Foreign minister Dominic Raab said at a daily Downing Street briefing.

The spokesman said Mr Johnson was not working and had received "standard oxygen treatment".

A handout image released by 10 Downing Street, shows Britain's Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab speaking during a remote press conference to update the nation on the Covid-19 pandemic, inside 10 Downing Street in central London on April 9, 2020. RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / 10 DOWNING STREET / PIPPA FOWLES" - NO MARKETING - NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS
 / AFP / 10 Downing Street / Pippa FOWLES / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / 10 DOWNING STREET / PIPPA FOWLES" - NO MARKETING - NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab speaks as the UK's daily Covid-19 pandemic news conference. AFP

Mr Johnson is the most high-profile world leader to suffer from the coronavirus and his transfer to intensive care on Monday was unprecedented for a prime minister during a national emergency in modern times.

While much of the focus in Britain has been on his health, there is also concern over the number of people infected with the virus.

On Thursday, the government announced an increase of 765 deaths in England, taking the total to 7,248.

Health officials said they expected the number of deaths to continue rising for two weeks after pressure on intensive care units eased.

"We're not there yet," said Patrick Vallance, the government's chief scientific adviser.

Senior ministers met to discuss extending strict social distancing measures introduced on March 23.

Mr Raab, who is standing in for Mr Johnson, led the "war cabinet", as he has done since Monday. He said he had not spoken to Mr Johnson after taking on his role.

"It's still too early to lift the measures that we have put in place," he said. The end of the first three-week lockdown is due to end on Monday.

"We don't expect to say more on this until the end of next week," Mr Raab said.

Asked if the government considered giving police extra powers, the Downing Street spokesman said: "For now our focus is on ensuring that the steps that we already have in place are properly enforced."

In Scotland, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said on Thursday that the lockdown was likely to continue "for some weeks to come".

Ms Sturgeon said there was "no prospect" of the measures being lifted in the coming days.

Meanwhile, ministers warned the public to follow social distancing rules ahead of the Easter weekend, for which high temperatures are forecast.